When a person inhales carbon monoxide, they can suffer extremely serious injuries and harmful side effects. Carbon monoxide is so dangerous because when it enters a person’s bloodstream, it will attach to their red blood cells. These blood cells, in turn, carry oxygen to various organs in a person’s body, and long-term carbon monoxide exposure can result in serious and sometimes irreversible damage to the person’s vital organs, such as the brain.
Even worse, individuals who experience carbon monoxide exposure may not obtain immediate medical treatment for their condition. When a person cannot identify how the carbon monoxide poisoning is occurring (or how it got into the body), they can suffer the consequences of prolonged exposure, including serious illnesses and injuries. Long-term exposure to carbon monoxide poisoning can even have fatal consequences.
Carbon monoxide gas is a byproduct of burning various fossil fuels, such as natural gas, kerosene, and wood. It can be difficult to detect since carbon monoxide gas is colorless, tasteless, and odorless. Moreover, carbon monoxide poisoning can be acute, subacute, or chronic.
Problems with carbon monoxide exposure can occur when property managers and owners fail to install detectors and properly maintain their gasoline-powered equipment. Suppose you can demonstrate that a property manager or owner has behaved negligently under the circumstances. In that case, you might be eligible to recover various types of monetary compensation and damages for your related injuries.
If you or someone you care about has suffered the consequences of exposure to carbon monoxide poisoning, you must promptly leave the exposure area and get medical treatment right away. Failing to do so can have serious consequences on your overall health. Speak with an experienced premises liability lawyer as soon as possible.
Our legal team can investigate your circumstances and retain an expert in your case if necessary. We can also pursue a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault property manager or owner, seeking the compensation that you deserve. Please call us today to learn more about how we can assist you with your premises liability case.
Brain Injuries That Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Frequently Causes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics, prolonged carbon monoxide gas exposure leads to nearly 500 fatalities each year.
Carbon monoxide exposure can come from gas-powered yard equipment, snowblowers, lawnmowers, charcoal grills, gas dryers, wood stoves, gas water heaters, automobile exhaust, and virtually any other gas-powered device. Suppose you or a person you care about is experiencing any of these symptoms. In that case, you should promptly speak with a knowledgeable premises liability attorney about your legal options.
Long-term Effects of Prolonged Exposure to Carbon Monoxide
Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to extremely serious consequences, which are long-term for many victims. Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause neurological defects, confusion, disorientation, nausea, personality changes, balance problems, depression, heart complications, loss of energy, seizures, and long-term headaches, to name just a few consequences. Victims can have seizures or even wind up in a coma in more serious exposure cases after long-term exposure.
Liability for Carbon Monoxide Exposure Injuries and Illnesses
Several groups of individuals and entities can be liable for your carbon monoxide exposure injuries. Specifically, property owners and managers are required to maintain their premises in a reasonable, careful, and safe manner at all times.
Specifically, they must install carbon monoxide detectors and take measures to maintain all of their gas-powered equipment on the property safely and carefully. In cases where a resident experiences brain damage or other complications after prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide, the resident can pursue monetary compensation from the property owner or manager.
Victims of carbon monoxide poisoning might also file a claim against landlords, contractors, builders, service providers, and installers who come to the premises. These individuals can be responsible for a carbon monoxide leak that occurs at your home or apartment.
To establish liability on the part of one or more of these individuals/entities, you must demonstrate that the at-fault party knew or should have known about the condition but failed to take the necessary actions to remedy it in a timely and efficient manner. In addition, you must establish that your injuries and other complications resulted from the at-fault party’s negligence and present evidence to support this claim.
Potential Damages in Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Cases
Victims of carbon monoxide poisoning that results from negligence from a landlord, property manager, or someone else can pursue monetary compensation for their illness/injuries. First of all, if the victim required medical treatment, then they can pursue compensation for related medical expenses, such as the costs of doctor visits and medical procedures. In addition, if the injuries or illnesses prevented the victim from working, then the victim can claim lost wage compensation.
In addition to these economic damages and out-of-pocket costs, a victim can file a claim for the inconvenience, mental distress, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of the ability to use a body part in the event of a long-term injury or complication.
A knowledgeable premises liability attorney can review your circumstances with you and determine which of these damages you might pursue. Your attorney can also file a claim against the at-fault party, and if necessary, litigate it in the civil court system.
Call an Experienced Premises Liability Lawyer About Your Legal Matter Today
Carbon monoxide poisoning can have serious effects on your brain functioning, which can then alter nearly every aspect of your life. If you need assistance with a potential legal claim for your injuries, you should not wait to consult with a law firm that regularly handles these types of cases. The right attorney will know how to hold negligent property owners or companies liable for their actions that led to your brain injury.